US EditionCommercial Boat Owners Say Kelowna City Fees Unfair, Bad for Tourism - Okanagan
CENTRAL OKANAGAN, BRITISH COLUMBIA, AUG 1 – Kelowna commercial watercraft operators challenge the $2,000 annual boat launch fee adopted in 2022, citing lack of industry input and safety concerns, city discusses operational changes.
- In 2022, Kelowna council approved a bylaw requiring commercial boat operators to pay $2,000 annually per vessel to fund two city-owned boat launches.
- The bylaw replaced $400,000 in general taxation funding to cover launch maintenance costs, leading to concerns from boat operators about fairness.
- Commercial operators, comprising 25% of boat launch users, say the fees do not apply to private renters, which they believe creates unequal financial pressure.
- Corey Severin stated, "It's like picking on one and not the other," while Standen warned the fees could "severely impact the end user" by raising customer costs.
- Operators formed the Kelowna Marine Tourism Association to seek a more equal fee model, and city staff expressed willingness to consider an all-user pay system in future.
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West K News+2 Reposted by 2 other sources
Kelowna commercial watercraft operators hopeful for dialogue with city
Bylaw department is monitoring the Water Street launch over the long weekend
·Kelowna, Canada
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Commercial boat owners say Kelowna city fees unfair, bad for tourism
Boating is one of the Okanagan’s s most popular summer attractions, but those in the business of renting watercraft are urging the City of Kelowna to rethink a policy they say not only unfairly targets them but hurts local tourism. “I just feel that as the people who bring. you know, one of the local amenities that brings people to this town, that we’re being unfairly targeted,” said Max Standen, who owns Okanagan Luxury Boat Club. The city is …
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